The Zanzibar Archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean 15 miles off the coast of Tanzania, is a breathtaking spot to escape from the world. You’ll enjoy clear, turquoise-blue water, shallow sandbars perfect for wading, and many small, nearly deserted islands virtually unvisited by tourists.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is rich in history, a town blended with African, Arab, Indian, Persian, and European cultures, following narrow streets shaded by elegant balconies and verandahs. The former slave market, the Sultan Palace, and a series of beautifully carved wooden doors, with a 30-minute shopping break, browse for some of Zanzibar’s most distinctive souvenirs. A half-day tour with an experienced guide to lead the way will be the best option for exploring its attractions.
Also known as Changuu Island is one of the most popular destinations for day trips from Stone Town. Just a short trip boat rides away; the island offers excellent snorkelling, nature trails, a small beach and the unusual attrition of a sanctuary for giant tortoises.
Cruise around the island on a traditional Arab dhow while enjoying a seafood lunch of grilled fish and lobster with exotic fruit juice, ice-cold soda, chilled beer or a glass of wine.
Watching or particularly swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat can be exciting and educational. Most seen around Zanzibar are bottlenose and humpback varieties, although spinner dolphins are also seen north on the island.
While taking tourists on a walking tour, a local guide will pluck bunches of leaves from various bushes and ask guests to guess what they are —most of the spices found in the average kitchen spice rack. Common spices include black pepper, chillies, cinnamon, cloves, coconut, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, saffron, turmeric and vanilla.
Nakupenda, “In Swahili means, I LOVE YOU”, is the name of a stunning sandbank located just off Stone Town. A Full day trip offers Prison Island’s giants’ tortoises visit, snorkelling, relaxing on the sandbank sunbathing and tasting Plates of seafood and seasonal fruits.
The most famous Marine Reserve in Zanzibar, known for its fish life, like lionfish, moray eels, stingrays, and turtles, swims around in the shallows. In addition, Mnemba is famous for encountering green turtles and common dolphins.
Arguably one of Zanzibar’s best excursions, allow yourself to sail away across the soothing waves of the Indian ocean on a beautifully carved Swahili dhow. Snorkelling to one of the archipelago’s most splendid, deserted islands for a wonderfully fresh seafood grill and finally to a lagoon.
With deep-sea fishing and record-breaking catches in Unguja, Pemba and Mafia, Zanzibar is an angler’s paradise. There’s superb deep-sea fishing with marlin, sailfish, tuna, barracuda, and trevally.
